The COSECHA Study: Youth Peer-To-Peer Research on Pesticide Exposure in a Farmworker Community

摘要

Background: Seven million pounds of pesticides identified as possible carcinogens or endocrine disruptors are applied annually in California, but there is little data on how adolescent girls in agricultural communities may be exposed. Methods: We conducted a youth empowerment project to measure pesticide exposure among 100 14-16 year old Latina girls living in the agricultural Salinas Valley, CA. Pesticide concentrations were measured in silicone wristbands worn by participants for one week and in house dust. High school students (N=10) hired as youth research assistants collected the data and were engaged in study design, implementation, and dissemination. Results: Compounds detected in wristbands and dust included agricultural-use, residential-use, and now-banned pesticides. Commonly detected pesticides in house dust were permethrin, carbaryl, chlorothalonil, and fipronil. Fipronil compounds and permethrin were also widely detected in wristbands. Living within 100m of an agricultural field was associated with higher concentrations of dacthal and permethrin in wristbands and higher permethrin in house dust. Pesticide products in the home and using an exterminator were associated with higher permethrin in wristbands and dust. Participants with door mats in their home entryway had significantly lower concentrations of cypermethrin, permethrin, fipronil sulfide, and DDE in their wristbands and lower concentrations of cypermethrin in their dust. Discussion: This youth-led study characterizes pesticide exposure to adolescent Latina girls and suggests methods for reducing exposure. The youth researchers have developed innovative educational messaging, including puppet shows, videos, and radio dramas; taught residents to access information about local pesticides use; and plan to distribute door mats and develop educational murals to share results and minimize future exposures.